A Jamaican-born public servant has reached a brand new milestone in South Florida. Latoya S. Clarke, a longtime Metropolis of Dawn commissioner, has been elevated to the position of Assistant Deputy Mayor. Her appointment locations her within the metropolis’s management at a second that displays regular public service, neighborhood work, and rising illustration in native authorities.
Clarke’s elevation was introduced by the Metropolis of Dawn in early December 2025 as a part of its annual management updates. She now serves alongside Deputy Mayor Jacqueline A. Guzman, marking a management time period that displays the town’s various inhabitants. Clarke represents Seat A on the Dawn Metropolis Fee and continues her work in metropolis governance whereas taking up added duties tied to her new position.
From Jamaica to Dawn
Latoya Clarke was born in Jamaica and moved to the USA on the age of 14. She was raised in Fort Lauderdale and later settled in Dawn, a metropolis she has served for greater than a decade. Her early years in South Florida helped form her connection to the local people and its wants.
She attended Piper Excessive College in Dawn, the place she accomplished her secondary schooling. Her tutorial path continued at Florida Atlantic College, the place she earned a Bachelor of Arts diploma. Clarke later accomplished a Grasp of Science diploma at Nova Southeastern College’s Shepard Broad Faculty of Regulation. Her schooling supported a profession that mixes enterprise abilities with public service.
Profession in Healthcare and Enterprise
Earlier than coming into elected workplace, Clarke constructed a protracted profession within the healthcare business. She has greater than 20 years of expertise in enterprise operations inside healthcare methods. Her work centered on managing hospital facilities, enhancing service supply, and controlling prices.
This skilled background has knowledgeable her strategy to metropolis management. Her expertise managing groups and sophisticated operations has been a part of her contribution to metropolis discussions on planning, providers, and effectivity.
In 2015, Clarke additionally based Merely Residing Administration. The corporate gives providers associated to budgeting, property planning, actual property transactions, and property administration. The enterprise displays her curiosity in serving to households plan, handle sources, and construct stability.
Deep Roots in Group Service
Clarke’s public service in Sunrise started effectively earlier than her election to the Metropolis Fee. In 2009, she began volunteering with the East Dawn Residents Affiliation, also called ESRA. Over time, she took on better accountability and have become president of the group in 2019.
By way of ESRA, Clarke helped manage and assist metropolis actions such because the July 4th Parade, Tunes ‘N Vehicles, Nationwide Night time Out, the Undertake-a-Road Program, and neighborhood gala’s. These efforts centered on resident involvement and neighborhood connection.
She has additionally served on the Dawn Board of Adjustment, the place members evaluation zoning and improvement issues. As well as, Clarke accomplished a number of metropolis coaching applications, together with the Dawn Residents Academy, the Group Police Academy, and the Dawn Small Enterprise Academy. These applications are designed to assist residents higher perceive metropolis operations.
Position as Assistant Deputy Mayor
As Assistant Deputy Mayor, Clarke takes on added obligations whereas persevering with to symbolize her fee seat. The position helps the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in main conferences, representing the town at occasions, and serving to information coverage discussions.
Her appointment locations her in a historic place. Throughout this management time period, each the Deputy Mayor and Assistant Deputy Mayor roles are held by girls. Clarke is the primary Black lady of Jamaican background to serve on this place in Dawn similtaneously the town’s first Latina Deputy Mayor.
The second was acknowledged broadly on social media, the place metropolis leaders highlighted the shared dedication to service, illustration, and neighborhood accountability throughout the present time period, which runs by means of November 2026.
Work Past the Metropolis Degree
Clarke’s service extends past Dawn. She was lately appointed to the Broward County Group Motion Company Advisory Board. The board advises county leaders on applications that assist low-income residents and households dealing with hardship.
She can also be concerned with the Florida Black Caucus of Native Elected Officers and participates within the Ladies in Municipal Authorities group throughout the Nationwide League of Cities. These roles join her with native leaders throughout Florida and the USA.
As well as, Clarke helps faith-based and nonprofit teams, together with the Worldwide Pentecostal Metropolis Mission Church and Metropolis Mission Household Outreach, Inc. Her involvement displays a give attention to service, outreach, and assist for households.
Household and Public Service
Clarke is married and has shared that household assist performs an necessary position in her public life. Whereas balancing skilled, civic, and private obligations, she continues to give attention to regular service moderately than public consideration.
As Assistant Deputy Mayor, she has said her aim of supporting unity, development, and alternative for all residents of Dawn. Her work continues alongside Mayor Michael J. Ryan, Deputy Mayor Jacqueline A. Guzman, and fellow commissioners.
Her elevation provides a brand new chapter to a public service report rooted in neighborhood work, native involvement, and long-term dedication to the town she calls dwelling.
